Bottling apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for removing from bottles those sealing closures which are held in place by screw threads.

[ Apr. 23, 1974 United States Patent [191 Blecher A 1 BOTTLING APPARATUS References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS [73] Assignee:

3,587,208 Berry et 53/381 A 3,589,103 6/1971 Calvillo et 53/381 A 22 Filed: Dec. 15, 1972 211 Appl. No.: 315,597

Primary ExaminerTravis S. McGehee Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Norman S. Blodgett; Gerry A. Blodgett [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Dec. 18, 1971 [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for removing from bottles those sealing c10- sures which are held in place by screw threads.

Germany.......,........,........... 2163093 [51] Int. B65b 43/40 -[58] Field of Search.................. 53/381 A, 348,361;

- 1 3 12 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures ATENTEUAPR 23 I974 sum 1 or 2 1PATENTEBAPR23 1914 SHEET 2 0F 2 Fig. 3

Fig. 2

Fig. 4

1. nor'rnmc APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In US. Pat. No. 3,686,824, apparatus has been proand which, when lowered, penetrates closures remaining on the bottles, unscrewing. the closures when rotatably driven. The apparatus is also fitted with a gripping device which in the operating position surrounds the top of the gripped bottle by means of a pot-shaped bushing.- The bushing has lateral perforations through which lug-shaped gripping devices can be forced under the action of a tubular diaphragm subjected to pressure medium. The apparatus thus designed not only enables closures to be unscrewed from beverage bottles, it also enables sealing closures which have already been unscrewed and/or beverage bottles to be gripped or secured. The apparatus described in above-identified patent has beenfound to suffer from the drawback that it is difficult to arrange for the closures and the bottles to be released at different times. These and other difficulties experienced with the prior art devices have been obviated in a novel manner by the present invention.

It is, therefore, an outstanding object of the invention to provide an apparatus which, without excessive conand covered by the claims appended hereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In general, the invention consists of apparatus for removing screw-threaded closures from bottles and has a platform which can be raised and lowered relative to a bottle location. A holding device is carried by the platform for centering and holding down each bottle when the platform is lowered. A rotatable mandrel is-carried by the platform and is arranged to penetrate and hold a bottle closure on lowering of the platform. Means is provided for rotating the mandrel to withdraw a closure from a bottle. Fluid pressure-operated gripping devces are also carried by the platform and are effective at two height ranges, one height range being above the bottle neck and the other being beneath the bottle opening when the platform is in the lowered position, so that the gripping means grip both a closure removed by the mandrel and the bottle neck. I

More specifically, the gripping means is preferably so constructed and arranged that, when the gripping means are subjected to a first and relatively high fluid pressure, they grip and support both a removed closure and a bottle, but, when they are subject to a second and relatively low fluid pressure, only the closure is retained, the bottle being released. The invention will be more readilyvunderstood by way of example from the following description of bottle closure removing apparatus in accordance therewith,

reference being made to the accompanying drawings. in which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of apparatus incorporating the princiles of the present invention,

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate modifications of the apparatus of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a control system for applying fluid pressure to the apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIG. 1, a platform is shown as consisting of two plates 1 and 2 connected by spacers 3. A

The platform carries the apparatus for the removal of sealing closures. The platform can be lowered onto groups of beverage bottles, these usually being empty bottles which are being conveyed back in bottle boxes. FIG. 1 shows only one such apparatus, but it will be understood that in practice a plurality is supplied, the number and distribution being in accordance with the arrangement of beverage bottles in the boxes.

Above the plate 2 is a flange 4 in which is threaded a shaft 6 which can be power driven via a' gear 5 to rotate the shaft relative to the-platform. The free end of the shaft 6 carries a mandrel 7.

Underneath the plate 2 and connected with it and with the flange'4 is a flange 8 of a cylinder 9 which serves to guide a vertically-displaceable housing 10. The vertical travel of the housing 10 is limited by screws 11 which engage slots 12 formed in the cylinder 9. The housing 10 is biased in the downward direction by a helical spring 13 which is located within the cylinder 9 and which extends under compression between the flange 8 and a guide body 14a which is held against an internal ring 14 integrally formed on the housing 10. A bell-shaped head15 is mounted on the lower end of the housing. The housing 10 contains a tubular member 16 surrounded by a diaphragm 17. The diaphragm is provided at its ends with flanges 18 and 19. The space formed between the diaphragm 17 and the housing 10 is sealed off because of the fact that the head 15 of the housing firstly clamps the flange 18 between the outer flange of the member 16 and the housing 10, and secondly clamps the flange 19 between the top of the member 16 and the guide body 14 a, which itself is retainedagainst the ring 14 on the housing 10. Leading to the cavity-between the diaphragm 17 and the housing 10, is a connection 20 for a flexible tube 21 extending through the housing 10 and serving as the feed conduit for pressure medium to that cavity.

The member 16 has, at two levels situated one above the other,.two sets of perforations 22 and 23, respectively, through which pass protrusions 24 and 25 respectively, formed as lugs on the diaphragm 17 by 10- cally thickening. It is important that the perforations 22 and the lugs 24 should be situated at a level which, when the platform and thus the equipment are lowered into the operating position, is above the neck aperture of beverage bottles 26 to be opened or transferred, while the perforations 23 and lugs 25 are situated at a level underneath the said bottle aperture and adjacent the bottle neck. Preferably, the lugs 25 are positioned to pass underneath the screw threads formed on the bottle neck. The number and the distribution of the lugs in the two height ranges are not critical; they are preferably between two and eight in number and are arranged in a circumferentially symmetrical manner. It

is of advantage, however, for the lugs 24 and 25 to be of different construction, so that different types of action can be obtained by varying the pressure. This can be achieved by varying the penetration and/or the areas of the bases. On the other hand, it has been found that, even with equal penetration and base areas, the desired effect is still obtained: the lugs 24 situated in the upper zone need only carry the very light sealing closures, while the lugs 25 situated in the lower zone have to take the considerably greater weight of the beverage bottles. When the pressure acting on the diaphragm is relieved in steps, therefore, the bottle will first be released (even when the lugs are all of the same construction), and the sealing closure cannot fall until the diaphragm has been almost completely relieved of pressure.

In operation, the apparatus is provided with a control system which controls the pressure of the fluid supplied to the diaphragm and which is described hereinafter and shown in FIG. 4. The platform is first lowered; when the lowering stroke has been almost completed, the head exerts a centering action on the bottle by engaging the lower part of the bottle neck as shown in FIG. 1. As the descent continues, therefore, the force exerted by the spring 13 is no longer absorbed by the screws 11 but instead is compressed by the beverage bottle 26 via the head 15, so that the bottle is thus firmly pressed onto the surface on which it stands. The mandrel 7 (which on the descent of the platform penetrates any sealing closure remaining on the bottle '26) is now rotated by the drive through the gear 5, thus unscrewing the closure from the bottle and conveying it to the upper level, adjacent the lugs 24. After the unscrewing operation has been initiated (but preferably not until after it has been actualy completed), the control system comes into operation for the first time and acts through the flexible tubes on the diaphragm 17 of each of the units of equipment carried by the platform. Initially, the pressure medium is fed to the diaphragms at a relatively high pressure, causing those parts of the diaphragm l7 opposite the perforations 22 and 23 to be inwardly, so that the lugs 24 and 25 are forced inwardly. The lugs 24.grip the sealing closure which has been raised above the bottle neck, while the lugs 25 engage the neck of the bottle. The contact force during the first pressure stage is so great that the bottle is securely held, even when it is lifted above its supporting surface. The adhesion obtained is intensified if, in the usual manner, the lugs 25 engage the bottle at or beneath the screw threads on the neck, so that frictional connection is supplemented by a positive locking action.

The platform is next raised, to lift the bottles, for example, out of the bottle boxes in which they were fed to the apparatus. In the simplest case, the bottle box can now continue on its path, while the bottles are deposited and further transported in some other direction. The usual method, however, is either to remove rows of bottles from a box and deposit them after the platform has been moved sideways or else to remove all the bottles from the box at the same time and lower them at the side on a second conveyor.

After the bottles have been lowered, the control system comes into operation again and partly relieves the pressure in the chamber between the housing 10 and the diaphragm 17. The lugs 25 move back or are relieved to such an extent that the bottles are now either completely released or are secured with such limited residual force that when the platform is again raised, they remain on the surface on which they are now deposited. The force exerted by the lugs 24 in the upper height range is still sufficient, under the effect of the re sidual pressure exerted by the control system, to retain the bottle caps. The platform can now be further raised in order to eject the bottle caps and moved into another horizontal position. In this process it is possible during the return movement to eject the bottle closures over a waste hopper. It is also possible, however, for the capsules to be ejected, in the manner already suggested, onto oblique ramps, or else to use a roller conveyor, as already described in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,686,824.

The apparatus may be modified from the construction shown in FIG. 1. For instance, the diaphragm 17 which defines one side of the pressure chamber can be replaced by an annular flexible tube, which is more difficult to produce and connect up than the pressure chamber of the example shown, but which eliminates the special requirements for sealing surfaces. The number, arrangement, and construction of the lugs can also be widely varied. In the example, three lugs 24 and three lugs 25 are normally provided for each range. The number of lugs shown is only to be regarded as an example, and it is also not necessary to provide the same number of lugs in both height ranges: in many cases it will be satisfactory for the lugs 25, which have to carry a greater load, to be greater in number than those in the upper zone. The lugs need not necessarily be formed by thickening of the wall of the diaphragm 17 or of an annular tube. In a number of cases it will be sufficient for the diaphragm or the internal wall of the annular tube itself to be provided with simple local protuberances, and to act on separate lugs within the perforations in the member 16; in that case the separate lugs are preferably widened in their rear part, on the outside of the member 16, so that the rear part extends over the perforation and prevents the lug being driven inwardly'through the aperture. In addition an enlarged bearing surface is thus provided for the diaphragm or internal wall of the annular tubing to act on. Finally, as shown in FIG. 2, the housing 16 can be provided with slots 27, each of which extends over both levels. They give passage to bar-like protrusions 28 which serve as gripping devices and which also extend over both levels.

Here again, the two-stage effect can be intensified by adapting the lugs to both pressure stages. For example, it is possible to provide three bar-shaped perforations, each of which extend over both levels and between which further perforations are provided which only extend over the lower level and which receive similar lugs. Provision can be made for operation under high pressure, if, for example, the lugs 25 belonging to the lower level (and only taking effect in the higher pressure stage) are made comparatively narrow and constructed in the form of bars. With the use of continuous lugs and perforations the portions corresponding to the individual levels may also differ in length and width in order to intensify the difference in action between the two pressure stages.

The apparatus can also be constructed in such a way that the tubular member 16 is largely dispensed with to provide a single opening extending through 360. The member 16, as shown in FIG. 3, then is replaced by flanges 30 and 31. The elastic member adopted consists of diaphragm 29, which is provided with axially arranged, bar-like thickened parts 28 of its wall. The distance between those ends of the flanges 30, 31 facing towards one another exceeds the separation of the more distant boundaries of the two height ranges and the length of the bars 28 exceeds the separation of the adjacent boundaries of the height ranges. In order to seal the diaphragm 29 in the housing unit 32, the lower end of the diaphragm is firmly clamped by the flange 30 and the head 33 against a portion of the housing 32. The flange 31 sealing off the upper end of the diaphragm 29 has an opening to accommodate a capremoving mandrel. The flange 31 extends under the upper edge of the diaphragm 29, which is firmly and tightly clamped by means of a washer 34 and a washer nut 35. The washer nut 35, in its turn, is firmly clamped, in an air-tight manner, against a shoulder 36 formed on the housing 32, by means of a screw threaded ring 37. Needless to say, combinations of the individual constructions indicated are likewise possible; for example, in addition to continuous bar-like protrusions extending over both the heigh ranges it is possible to provide protrusions which extend only over one height range, both when a perforated tubular member is employed and when the tubular member is subdivided intotwo flanges as in FIG. 3.

' FIG. 4 shows the control system for the operation of the apparatus. A compressor 38 supplied compressed air to an accumulator 39 protected by an excess pressure or safety valve 40. When the required pressure is reached, the compressor 38 is switched off by a pressure switch 41, which can operate to restart the compressor 38 when the pressure medium has been discharged and the pressure drops. Preferably, however, the compressor 38 is .additionally switched on each time the apparatus is operated by the operation of electro-magnetic valve 42 or control contact 43, so that only small storage capacity is required.

When the platform has been lowered to its lowest position, a limit switch 45 is actuated, to energize a relay 46 and a timing relay 47. The relay 46 is maintained by its holding contacts 48 and the contacts 49 of the timing relay 47. The timing relay 47 is provided with further contacts 43 which switch on the drive of the mandrel 7or transmits it by switching in a clutch. After the timing relay has dropped out, the relay 46, which drops with a delay, still remains in the operating position for a short time, despite the opening of the contacts'49. The normally closed contacts 50 of the timing relay 47, when the latter drops out, closes the circuit of the previously closed electro-magnetic valve 42. An electromagnetic valve 52, the circuit of which is connected in parallel with that of valve 42, actuates the lifting devices for the platform so that the equipment is raised. The electro-magnetic valve 42 subjects the pressure chamber formed between the diaphragms and the housings of the apparatus 44 to full storage pressure, so that both the unscrewed caps and the bottle necks are firmly held and the bottles can be re-positioned. When the platfom has been lifted and re-positioned, a limit switch 54 provided in the path of the platform is actuated and closes the circuit of a reduction valve 55. As a result, the pressure chambers formed in the apparatus 44 are relieved of pressure to such an extent that the bottle-necks are released. The residual pressure, however, is sufficient to hold the bottle closures. Not until a further movement takes place and the limit switch 56 is actuated, does the magnetic valve 57 open, so that all of the residual pressure present in the pressure conduits 21 and in the apparatus 44 is released. 1

Here again, modifications are possible. For example, the individual control operations can in each case be set up by limit switches, by switches actuated in sequence, by the timed operation of timing relays or by constantly driven switch rollers or the like, in any desired combinations. The only requirement is that the operation should be carried out with two different pressures and, thus, with a total of three different pressure stages. Particularly, the lower of the two working pressures can be produced by blowing off via a reduction valve, blowing off into a storage unit of lower pressure or by blowing off for a limited time via a throttle valve.

The method of operation of the apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention can likewise be modified by varying the function of the control device. For example, the pressure can be applied during the unscrewing of the sealing closures, but it has been found satisfactory to wait until they have been completely unscrewed.

It is not necessary to wait until the spring 13 has been relieved: as' the head 15, when subjected to spring 13, rests firmly on the body of the bottle, the latter can be gripped in this position. When the platform is raised the mandrel 7 is drawn out of the sealing closure and the spring 13 expands until the screws 11 come to rest on the lower boundary of the slots 12. As the platform is further raised, the clamped beverage bottle is moved along with the platform and apparatus.

Both the construction and the control system of the apparatus have advantages. For example, only one single feed conduit per bottle unit is required, in order to perform three different control actions. In the initial condition, remaining bottle caps are able to drop out, and both the beverage bottles and the bottle caps can penetrate the clamping apparatus without leading to any appreciable wear or resistance. In the second condition, both the unscrewed bottle caps and the beverage bottles are held firmly and reliably, while in the third condition, although the bottles are released, the caps are still retained. The system likewise ensures an economical consumption of pressure medium, since the volumeof air required for the purpose of holding the bottles also serves to hold the caps.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and construction of the invention without departing from the material spirit thereof. It is not, however, desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but it is desired to include all such as properly come within the scope claimed.

The invention having been thus described, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent 1. Apparatus for removing screw threaded closures from bottles, comprising a platform which can be raised and lowered relative to a bottle location; a hold ing device carried by the platform for centering and holding down each bottle when the platform is lowered;

' a rotatable mandrel which is carried by the platform and which is arranged to penetrate and hold a bottle when the platform is lowered; means for rotating the mandrel to withdraw a closure from a bottle; and fluid pressure operated gripping devices which are also carried by the platform and which are effective at two height ranges, one height range being above the bottle neck and the other being beneath the bottle opening when the platform is in the lowered position, so that the gripping means grip both a closure removed by the mandrel and the bottle neck.

2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the gripping means are so constructed and arranged that, when the gripping means are subjected to a first relatively high fluid pressure, they grip and support both a removed closure and a bottle, while, when they are subjected to a second relatively low fluid pressure, only the closure is retained, the bottle being released.

3. Apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein the gripping means comprise a plurality of gripping devices arranged to be forced inwardly under applied fluid pressure.

4. Apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein there are two sets of gripping devices arranged at the respective two height ranges.

5. Apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the gripping means include a tubular member carried by the platform and having openings at the two height ranges, and the gripping devices are two sets of protrusions on a diaphragm surrounding the tubular member, which protrusions project through the openings.

6. Apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the protrusions of the two sets have different projections and different base areas, so that, as the fluid pressure is increased, the gripping devices of the upper height range are effective first, and those of the lower height range become effective only after a further increase in pressure.

7. Apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein each gripping device extends over both heightranges.

8. Apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the gripping means include a tubular member carried by the platform and having slits each of which extends over both the height ranges, and the gripping devices are protrustions on a diaphragm surrounding the tubular member, which protrusions project through the slots.

9. Apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein the gripping devices are protrusions formed on a diaphragm, adapted to surround the bottle neck on lowering of the platform.

10. Apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the diaphragm takes the form of a flexible annular tube.

11. Apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the diaphragm is clamped at both ends in a surrounding housing and means are provided for supplying fluid under pressure between the housing and the diaphragm.

12. Apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the diaphragm is clamped between the tubular member and a surrounding housing. 

1. Apparatus for removing screw threaded closures from bottles, comprising a platform which can be raised and lowered relative to a bottle location; a holding device carried by the platform for centering and holding down each bottle when the platform is lowered; a rotatable mandrel which is carried by the platform and which is arranged to penetrate and hold a bottle when the platform is lowered; means for rotating the mandrel to withdraw a closure from a bottle; and fluid pressure operated gripping devices which are also carried by the platform and which are effective at two height ranges, one height range being above the bottle neck and the other being beneath the bottle opening when the platform is in the lowered position, so that the gripping means grip both a closure removed by the mandrel and the bottle neck.
 2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the gripping means are so constructed and arranged that, when the gripping means are subjected to a first relatively high fluid pressure, they grip and support both a removed closure and a bottle, while, when they are subjected to a second relatively low fluid pressure, only the closure is retained, the bottle being released.
 3. Apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein the gripping means comprise a plurality of gripping devices arranged to be forced inwardly under applied fluid pressure.
 4. Apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein there are two sets of gripping devices arranged at the respective two height ranges.
 5. Apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the gripping means include a tubular member carried by the platform and having openings at the two height ranges, and the gripping devices are two sets of protrusions on a diaphragm surrounding the tubular member, which protrusions project through the openings.
 6. Apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the protrusions of the two sets have different projections and different base areas, so that, as the fluid pressure is increased, the gripping devices of the upper height range are effective first, and those of the lower height range become effective only after a further increase in pressure.
 7. Apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein each gripping device extends over both height ranges.
 8. Apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the gripping means include a tubular member carried by the platform and having slits each of which extends over both the height ranges, and the gripping devices are protrustions on a diaphragm surrounding the tubular member, which protrusions project through the slots.
 9. Apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein the gripping devices are protrusions formed on a diaphragm, adapted to surround the bottle neck on lowering of the platform.
 10. Apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the diaphragm takes the form of a flexible annular tube.
 11. Apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the diaphragm is clamped at both ends in a surrounding housing and means are provided for supplying fluid under pressure between the housing and the diaphragm.
 12. Apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the diaphragm is clamped between the tubular member and a surrounding Housing. 